The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-02
LITERARY SUCCESS.
The Ways by which Some Noted Writers
Have become Famous.

Every literary success has its own his
tory. Thoreaus beautiful books are
found in every library where he would
have carel to have them; but they were
so little appreciated when originally is
sued that at the end Of the first year al
most the whole edition was returned TO
the author, who carried the books labori-
ously upstairs with the laughing an
nouncement that he was probably the
only man in America with library OF
1000 volumes all written by himself.
Rider Haggard thinks he will try the
doubtful experiment of weaving his Airi-
can experience into book for boys, and
thous lnds OF copies, perhaps hundreds of
thousands of king Solomons Mines"
are sold Immediately, quite as much to
his own surprise as that OF anybody else
Bayard Taylor, thirsting for the literary
life, eager for fame, but only for the fame
that comes from doing really admirable
work, labors slowly, toilsomely, carefully,
and achieves at last an enviabe position
for graceful, scholarly, patient literary
effort.
81 lney Luska leaps into the literary
arena with his first book in his hand so
brilliant one that the critics only Won
der whether he can ever do anything
else as good.
Miss Alcott is inspired to write Little
Women because, as she naively says
herself, "the house needed shinging."
Mrs. Muriree AM Mrs. Burnett for
years write short stories in obscure pub
lications unknown, unnotced and un-
praised, till the long training and patient
perseverance "tell' at last, AMI result
inllly in a splendid effort that the al
miring world supposes to be their first.
II. H., brilliant society woman, not
especially interested in literature, alreay
In middle age, writes suddenly apoem, is
perfectly amazed on receiving $40 for it,
pays herself for the publication of her
rst book, only to find herself in a few
years acknowledged as the finest poetess
in America, if indeed as Mr.. I'm rson
said, we ny not leave OFT the last sylla-
BILE OF 'poetess."
Charlotte Bronte, with profound con-
fidence in her own genius, encouraged
by no one, d scouraged by every pub
Usher till the last, writes "Jsne Eyre" to
be one OF the greatest novels of her gen.
Grafton.
George Eliot, profoundly self distrust-
full, vcnturing into fiction only at the ur-
gent cntreaty of Mr.. Lewes, writes
adam Bede,' to be the admiration OF
the world, and perhaps never did any
work finer of its kind than her first.
Harriet Prescott Spotford, girl OF l6,
who had never been out of America and
hardly out OF Newburyport sits in her
little room, with portfolio in her lap, and
evolves from her inner consciousness
and knowle lge OF books, story Of
Parisian life, so faithful to the local
color OF the brilliant city OF the world
that the editor of The Ahdntic sends it
back to her at first on the plea that it is
singularly fine, but presumably trans
lation.
When book appears 80 perfect of its
kind as CLANS Brinker, or the Silver
| Skates" the world is interested not
merely in reading the book, but in know
| ing how it came to be written. 1t may
be stated briefly that "Hans Brinker" was
almost the first literary effort, though not
actually the first, OF its author; tlat at
| the time she wrote it she had never been
| in Hollond at all that like her ar and
intimate friend II. H., she had PISSED
her girlhool and early womanhooi
without thought of a desire ior literary
fame.